Missouri Mother Pleads Guilty to Baking Infant Daughter to Death

A Missouri mother has pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child leading to death, nearly three years after her one-month-old daughter died after being placed in a hot oven. Mariah Thomas, 28, accepted a plea deal on Tuesday, which resulted in prosecutors dropping murder charges against her.

Thomas was arrested in February 2024 after police were called to her Kansas City home. A witness had reportedly warned Thomas that something was wrong with the baby and urged her to return home immediately. Upon arrival, the witness smelled smoke and found the infant, Za'Riah Mae, deceased in her crib.

According to a probable cause statement, Thomas told investigators that she had mistakenly placed her infant daughter in the oven, mistaking the appliance for a crib. Police who responded to the scene found the baby with severe burns. Her clothing had melted onto her diaper and skin, and a charred baby blanket was also recovered as evidence.

At the time of her death, a friend described Za'Riah as a "bubbly" baby who was "smiling all the time."

Thomas has been held in Jackson County jail since her arrest. Her plea deal results in an 11-year prison sentence for the horrific crime.